End connector for watch bracelets and the like



y 4, 1966 J. F. SAND 3,252,197

END CONNECTOR FOR WATCH BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Filed March 23, 1964 j'zzar 72 eys.

, 3,252,197 END CONNECTGR FOR WATCH BRACELETS AND THE LIKE John Ferdinand Sand, Convent Station, N..I., assignor, by rnesne assignments, to Milglo Jewelry Mfg. Co., New York, N.Y., a partnership Filed Mar. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 353,768 9 Claims. (Cl. 24 -265) United States Patent The present invention relates to an end connector for I use with a wrist watch bracelet or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bracelet connector that is adapted to removably connect a bracelet construction to the end lug of an ornamental article such as a wrist watch or the like.

The present invention has particular application in the attachment of an ornamental bracelet construction to articles normally worn by women, such as ladies wrist watches. In many types of ladies wrist watches known heretofore, the bracelet therefor was secured to the watch casing by the attachment of an end ring or the like to the end lugs formed on the watch casing. Although this type of attachment was satisfactory for the use intended, the disengagement of the bracelet from the watch and the attachment of the new bracelet to the watch required special tooling and skills. Accordingly, in prior practice, in order to remove a bracelet from a ladies wrist. watch it was usually necessary to employ the services of a skilled technician who would make the replacement with the aid of special tooling. If an unskilled person attempted to replace the bracelet, it oftentimes resulted in the marring of the bracelet or the watch casing.

The present invention is designed to enable the less skilled individual to easily and quickly detach a bracelet from a wrist watch end lug and to further attach a new bracelet to the lugs without the requirement of special tooling. In carrying out the objects of the invention, the end connector embodied herein includes a tapered shell in which a correspondingly tapered connector bar is mounted for endwise slidable movement therein. One end of the connector bar is formed with a finger that in an exposed position thereof is attachable to the end lug of a wrist watch casing. The connector bar may thereafter he moved to a retracted position within the shell to seal the finger and to prevent dislodging of the connector bar from the wrist watch and lug. A unique locking member is pivotally connected to the narrow end of the connector bar and is moveable into nesting position within the shell to lock the connector bar in the retracted position thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an end connector for an ornamental article that may be quickly attached thereto or detached therefrom without the use of special tooling or skills.

Another object of the'invention is to provide an end connector for a wrist watch that includes a slidable unit that is movable to an open position for the attachment to a lug of a wrist watch and is retractable to a closed position so as to conceal the attaching portions.

Still another object is to provide an end connector for a wrist watch, wherein the attaching portions are hidden from view during normal use of the watch and bracelet connected thereto by the end connector.

Still another object is to provide an end connector for use with a wrist watch that has the appearance of being an integral part of the watch construction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying il- .lustrative drawings.

3,252,197 Patented May 24, 1966 In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a ladys wrist watch showing one of the end connectors embodied in the present invention in the closed position thereof, and the other en connector in the open position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the end connector embodied in the present .invention showing the closed position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the end connector illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the end connector similar to FIG. 3, the connector parts being shown in the open position thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the end connector shell;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connector bar that is mounted for slidable movement in the end connector shell;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lock member that locks the end connector to the lug of a wrist watch; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 88 in FIG. 3.

Referring now. to the drawing and particularly to FIG. 1, a wrist watch indicated at 10 is illustrated and as shown is generally of that type normally worn by women. The ladys wrist watch 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with the usual end lugs 12 to which a bracelet indicated at 14 is normally interconnected. As shown in FIG. 1, the bracelet 14 is defined by a plurality of articulated links, although it is understood that the bracelet 14 may be formed of any suitable design or shape without departing from the spirit of the invention. Connected to the ends of the bracelet 14 as will hereinafter be described are end connectors, each of which is generally indicated at 16, and each being connectable to an end lug 12. For purposes of illustration, the right-hand end connector 16 is shown in the open position in FIG. 1, while the lefthand end connector 16 is shown in the closed position thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 8, one of the end connectors 16 is illustrated in detail, and it is understood that both end connectors are constructed similarly and will include the same component parts. The base element of the end connector 16 is defined by a shell generally indicated at 18 that includes a top or upper wall 20 to which side walls 22 and 24 are integrally joined in perpendicular relation with respect to the top wall 20. The shell 18 has a wedge-shaped or tapered configuration which not only has a functional purpose but also adds to the ornamental appearance of the bracelet 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Formed in the wide end of the top wall 20 is a V-shaped notch 26 which is adapted to receive an end lug 12 therein when the end connector 16 is attached to the watch 10. As will be described hereinafter, the notch 26 enables the end connector 16 to be assembled in relative snug relation with respect to the end lug 12 and thus gives the appearance that the bracelet 14 is continuously or uninterruptedly attached to the watch 16. In the fabrication of the shell 18, side tabs 28 and 2? are joined to .the side walls 22 and 24, respectively, and, as shown in FIG. 5, are adapted to be turned over into abutting relation so as to define a cross portion that is spaced from and generally parallel to the top wall 20.

Slidably mounted within the shell 18 is a connector bar generally indicated at 30, which, as shown in FIG. 6, is preferably formed of bar stock in a one-piece construction. The connector bar is also formed in a wedge-shaped or tapered configuration that generally corresponds to that of the shell 18 and is adapted to be slidably interfitted within the confines of the shell 18 as will hereinafter be described. Referring again to FIG. 6, the connector bar 30 is shown including side portions 32 and 34 that are infined by the tabs 23, 29.

i.) tegrally joined at the narrow end of the bar by a narrow end portion 36. Integrally joined to the side portion 32 is an end finger 38 that is spaced from the side portion 34. As will be described hereinafter, the spacing of the end finger 38 from the side portion 34 enables the end finger 33 to be inserted within an end lug 12 in the connection of the end connector 16 to the watch 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector bar St) is slidably movable in an endwise direction within the shell 18, the space defined by the end finger 38 and the side portion 34 being concealed when the connector :bar 30 is located in the retracted position thereof. When the connector bar 30 is disposed in the open position thereof as indicated in FIG. 4, the space defined by the end finger 38 and the side portion 34 is exposed so as to provide for the connection of the end finger 33 to 2. lug 12.

In order to limit the endwise movement of the connector bar 39 and to further provide for locking of the connector bar 3% in the retracted position thereof, a lock member generally indicated at 49 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the lock member 4%) includes a base portion 42 to which an end pivot tab 44 is integrally joined. Also integrally joined to the base portion 42 are spaced flaps 46 that are shaped and proportioned for fitting within the side portions 32 and 34 of the connector bar 30 as will be described. Joined to the base portion 42 at the end opposite the pivot tab 44- are ears 48 that cooperate with the adjacent portion of the base portion 42' to define an enlarged portion. A lock tab 50 is joined to the end of the base portion 32 opposite the pivot tab 44 and includes a protuberance 52 formed thereon that cooperates with the lock tab 50 to frictionally engage the cross portion of the shell 18.

In order to secure the lock member 40 to theassembly, the pivot tab 44 is rolled around the narrow end portion 36 of the connector bar 30 so as to pivotally connect the lock member 40 to the connector bar 30 for relative pivotal movement with respect thereto. The longitudinal dimension of the lock member 40 is proportioned such that endwise movement of the connector bar 30 is provided but is limited by the engagement of the ears 48 with the narrow end of the shell 18 when the connector bar 30 is moved to the open position to expose the end finger 38. As seen in FIG. 4, the ears 48 are sufiiciently large enough to prevent further endwise movement of the connector bar 30 and thus further act to prevent the connector bar 3% from being slidably removed from the assembled position thereof. In order to confine the connector bar 30 within the shell 18, the tabs 28 and 29 are folded from the dotted-line position as seen in FIG. to the full-line position thereof. Although the cross portion defined by the tabs 28 and 29 confines the end connectors 30 within the shell 18, the spacing of the cross portion from the wall permits endwise slidable movement of the end connector With respect to the shell.

As indicated hereinabove, the lock member 4%} is shaped and proportioned for interfitting within the connecting bar in the locked position thereof. As best seen in FIG. 3, when the lock member 46 is located in the locked position thereof, the side flaps 46 nest within the space defined by the side portions 32, 34 of the connecting bar 30, the narrow end portion 36 of the connecting bar and the inner edge of the cross portion de-, In this position the ears 43 overlie the tabs 28, 29 and the lock tab is disposed in frictional engagement with the adjacent outer edge of the tabs 28, 29. The protuberance 52 is disposed just beneath the cross portion defined by the tabs 28 and 29 when the lock member 40 is located in the position illustrated in FIG. 3 and thus cooperates with the cross portion to positively retain the lock member 40 in the locking position thereof. In this position, the connecting bar 30 is retracted so as to conceal the opening defined bv the finger 38 and the side portion 34.

In the assembly of the end connector 16 to a lug 12, the lock member 40 is pivotally moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the connector bar 30 or the shell 18 being thereafter slidably movable, one with respect to the other, to expose the space defined by the end finger 38- and the side portion 34. The finger 38 is then inserted through the opening in the lug 12 and the shell 18 or connector bar is again moved relative to the other to retract the connector bar within the shell to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. With the connector bar 30 located in the retractedposition thereof, the space defined by the finger 38 and side portion 34 is concealed and the lock member 40 is then moved to the locked position thereof. As seen in FIG. 1, when the end connector 16 is locked to the lug 12, the notch 26 receives the lug 12 therein and thus acts to locate the end connector 16 in close fitting relation with respect to the lug 12, the continuity of attachment adding to the ornamental appearance of the end connector construction. Since the top wall 29 of the shell 18 is disposed on the same side as the face of the watch 10, the component parts of the connector are concealed, This further lends a finished and ornamental appearance to the bracelet 14. If it is necessary to disassemble the bracelet 14 from the watch 10, the end connector 16 may be simply and quickly detached from the lug 12 by removing the lock member 49 from the locked position thereof as seen in FIG. 3 and thereafter producing endwise movement of the connector bar 39 or the shell 18. In this event, the space between the end finger 33 and the side portion 34 of the connector bar 36 is exposed so as to enable the end finger 38 to be removed from the lug 12.

Although not specifically shown, the bracelet 14 may be attached to the shell 18 in any desired manner. In this connection, the end link of the bracelet 14 may be pinned to the adjacent link of the shell 18; or if a cord or chain type of bracelet is used, the end thereof may be secured to the narrow end of the shell 18 by clinching an attachment thereto that is suitably joined to the shell narrow end.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bracelet connector for a wrist watch, a shell having a generally tapered configuration, and defined by an upper wall and side walls generally perpendicular to said upper wall, said upper wall being cut out at the wide end thereof to define an end notch, a connector bar having a tapered configuration generally corresponding to that of said shell and disposed within said shell for endwise slidable movement therein, cross tabs joined to the side walls of said shell and overlying said connector bar for retaining said connector bar within said shell, and a lock member pivotally connected to the narrow end of said connector bar about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said connector bar, said lock member including an enlarged portion that is formed with a lock tab, a portion of said lock member being disposed between the side walls of said shell at the narrow end thereof and permitting endwise movement of said connector bar, the enlarged portion of said lock member defining astop for limiting endwise movement of said connector bar when said enlarged portion engages the adjacent end of said side walls, said connector bar having a finger at the wide end thereof that is separated from an adjacent side of the connector bar to form a space, said connector bar being movable in an endwise direction to expose said finger for insertion of said finger on an end lug of said wrist watch, said connector bar thereafter being retractable to move said finger within the confines of said shell for concealment therein, said lock member being pivotally movable on said connector bar to locate said lock tab in engagement with said cross tabs, wherein said connector bar is located in locked position on said lug.

2. In an end connector for use with an ornamental article having an end lug, a shell having a generally tapered configuration and including a top wall, depending side walls that are perpendicular to said top wall and a laterally extending cross member joined to said side walls and spaced from said top wall, said top wall having a notch formed in the wide end thereof, a connector bar having a tapered configuration generally corresponding to that of said shell and being received within said shell for limited endwise movement with respect thereto, the wide end of said connector bar including a finger, the free end of which is spaced from an adjacent side portion of said connector bar to define a space therewith, said connector bar and shell being relatively movable in an endwise direction to expose said space so that said finger is engageable in the end lug of the ornamental article, said connector bar thereafter being retractable endwise in said shell to conceal said space therein wherein said finger cooperates with said notch to retain said connector in pivotal relation on said lug, and means pivotally joined to the narrow end of said connector bar and movable into engagement with said cross member for locking said connector bar in the retracted position in said shell. r

3. In an end connector as set forth in claim 2, said pivotally mounted locking means including a lock member that is formed with alock tab, said lock member being pivotally movable with respect to said connector bar into overlying relation with respect thereto, wherein said lock tab engages said cross member for locking the lock member to said shell and thereby locking said connector bar in the retracted position thereof.

4. In an end connector for use with an ornamental article having an end loop, a shell having a generally tapered configuration and having a cross member joined thereto in bridging relation, a tapered connector bar normally mounted in retracted position in said shell and being slidable endwise therein to an open position when either the connector bar or the shell is moved relative to the other, said connector bar including an end finger that is exposed for connection to said end loop when said connector bar is located in the open position thereof, and means joined to the narrow end of said tapered connector bar and movable into engagement with said cross member for locking said connector bar in the retracted position in said shell, wherein said end connector is locked to said end lug.

5. In an end connector as set forth in claim 4, said shell including a notch formed in the wide end thereof that cooperates with said end finger for retaining the connector bar in pivotal relation on said lug when said connector bar is located in the retracted position thereof.

6. In an end connector as set forth in claim 4, said means comprising a lock member, one end of which is pivotally connected to the narrow end of said connector bar, the other end of said lock member including a lock tab for securing said lock member to said cross member, said lock member being shaped and proportioned for interfitting within said shell in the locked position thereof.

7. In an end connector as set forth in claim 6, the end of said lock member on which said lock tab is formed being located externally of said shell and being relatively enlarged so as to limit endwise movement of said connector in said shell.

8. In an end connector for use with an ornamental article having an end loop, a shell having a laterally extending cross member joined thereto in bridging relation, a connector bar normally mounted in retracted position in said shell and being located in an open position when either the connector bar or the shell is moved relative to the other, said connector bar including an end finger that is exposed for connection to said end loop when said connector bar is located in the open position thereof, and means joined to the end of said connector bar that is opposite to the end finger and movable into engagement with said cross member for locking said connector bar in the retracted position in said shell, wherein said end connector is locked to said end lug.

9. In a bracelet connector for a wrist watch, a shell having a generally tapered configuration and including side walls and an upper wall, a laterally extending cross member joined to said side walls and spaced from said upper wall, a connector bar slidably mounted for limited longitudinal movement in said shell between said cross member and said upper wall and having a configuration generally corresponding to that of said shell, said tapered connector bar including an end finger at the wide end thereof that is adapted to engage a lug on the end of said wrist watch, said tapered connector bar being longitudinally movable in an endwise direction to expose said finger for attachment thereof to said lug and being retractable within said shell to lock said lug on said finger, and a lock member pivotally connected to the narrow end of said connector bar about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, said lock member being pivotally movable into locking engagement with the cross member on said shell for locking said "connector bar in the retracted position thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 486,904 11/1892 Smitten 24-238 X 1,508,612 9/1924 Potter 24-239 1,790,721 2/1931 Pretot 24265 1,985,249 12/1934 Feid.

2,283,984 5/1942 Gibson 24-238 X 2,677,864 5/1954 Nielsen 24-238 X FOREIGN PATENTS 411,715 6/1934 Great Britain:

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Examiner.

D. GRIFFIN, Assistant Examiner. 

8. IN AN END CONNECTOR FOR USE WITH AN ORNAMENTAL ARTICLE HAVING AN END LOOP, A SHELL HAVING A LATERALLY EXTENDING ACROSS MEMBER JOINED THERETO IN BRIDGING RELATION, A CONNECTOR BAR NORMALLY MOUNTED IN RETRACTED POSITION IN SAID SHELL AND BEING LOCATED IN AN OPEN POSITION WHEN EITHER THE CONNECTOR BAR TO THE SHELL IS MOVED RELATIVE TO THE OTHER, SAID CONNECTOR BAR INCLUDING AN END FINGER THAT IS EXPOSED FOR CONNECTION TO SAID END LOOP WHEN SAID CONNECTOR BAR IS LOCATED IN THE OPEN POSITION THEREOF, AND MEANS JOINED TO THE END OF SAID CONNECTOR BAR THAT IS OPPOSITE TO THE END FINGER AND MOVABLE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CROSS MEMBER FOR LOCKING SAID CONNECTOR BAR IN THE RETRACTED POSITION IN SAID SHELL, WHEREIN SAID END CONNECTOR IS LOCKED TO SAID END LUG. 